Soccer Returns to the Pitch Friday to Host Louisiana

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama soccer team welcomes Louisiana to the Alabama Soccer Complex on Friday for a 5 p.m. CT match. The contest will be the second between the Crimson Tide and Ragin' Cajuns with UA coming away victorious in the first meeting back in 2003.

In compliance with CDC and state public health guidance, seating in the Alabama Soccer Stadium will be socially distanced resulting in capacity to the first 250 fans in attendance. Masks are required for entry and must be worn at all times while not eating or drinking.

About Alabama

Head coach Wes Hart is in the midst of his sixth season at Alabama and owns a career record of 47-48-13 entering Friday's matchup.
The team returned seven starters and 10 letterwinners from last season's roster that finished the 2020 slate with a record of 2-5-2.
Earlier this fall, Alabama made its 13th appearance at the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

Scouting Louisiana

In the 2020 fall season, Lance Key guided Louisiana to an overall record of 9-5-1 and finished fifth in the Sun Belt Conference with a record of 4-3-1.
The Ragin' Cajuns return a loaded roster with 20 letterwinners, including their leading goal scorer Lizzie Mayfield (eight). Mayfield also leads the team in assists (five).
Louisiana welcomed back Karleen Bedre, a young player on the roster who saw time in all 15 games and notched two goals with four assists during the 2020 fall season.
Goalkeeper Lauryn Starwood returned this spring after registering 973 minutes in goal and recording a total of 39 saves during the fall.

Last Time Out

Alabama hosted the Columbus State Cougars at the Alabama Soccer Complex last weekend on Friday, Feb. 19, coming away with a 2-0 win.
Midfielder Macy Clem scored in the 64th minute off a corner kick from Kat Rogers to give the Tide the lead.
Midfielder Felicia Knox then found the back of the net in the 71st minute to clinch the lead and bring Alabama to victory.
The Crimson Tide held the shot advantage by a 9-4 margin for the night.
Goalkeeper McKinley Crone silenced the Cougars with three saves. It was Crone's second shutout for the 2020-21 season.

Returning Firepower

Two members of the 2020-21 Crimson Tide roster received postseason honors at the conclusion of the fall.
Forward Riley Mattingly was named to the Second Team All-SEC while midfielder Felicia Knox was selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Mattingly returned for the Tide's opening match of the spring but suffered a lower body injury that will likely keep her out for the remainder of the spring schedule.
Knox, who scored two goals for the Tide back in the fall, returned to the pitch this spring.
Midfielder Reyna Reyes got the call to practice with the Mexican Women's National Team camp earlier this month and earned her first cap with the full team this past week.
McKinley Crone, a transfer goalkeeper, led the Tide in minutes played and recorded 46 saves during the fall season, her first with UA.
Crone ranks fourth in the SEC with an average of 5.11 saves per game entering Friday's matchup.

Next Up

Alabama will host Montevallo on Thursday, March 4, at the Alabama Soccer Complex. The Crimson Tide and Falcons are scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT kickoff with the game airing live on SEC Network+.

Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaSoccer on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. General athletic news can be found at @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and @AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.